PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY - 3rd Ed. (2005)

(John Hannent) #1

mouth.


Key Points
Temporization of teeth:



  • helps to reduce dental sensitivity and prevent toothache occurring before definitive
    care is complete;

  • reduces the oral mutans streptococci load;

  • serves as an introduction to dental treatment; and

  • provides a source for fluoride release if a glass ionomer-based material is used.


301H


Fig. 7.8 The large cavity in the lower
right, second primary molar has been
hand excavated and temporized with a
packable glass ionomer cement.

7.8.2 Definitive restoration of teeth


The highly active nature of dental caries in the young primary dentition should be
borne in mind when planning restorative care, but it is also important to plan to carry
out such care in a way that the child can successfully accept. Approaches such as 'tell-
show-do' (302HChapter 2) and behaviour shaping utilizing positive reinforcement to
encourage appropriate behaviours are important. Communicating in terms the child
can understand, and using vocabulary that avoids negative associations, is also
important. For example, the term 'local anaesthetic' will mean nothing to most
children and words such as 'injection' and 'needle' may convey the suggestion of pain
or discomfort. Suitable alternative terms might be 'sleepy juice' or 'jungle juice'. Such
'childrenese' can be developed for most routine dental equipment and procedures
(303HTable 7.4)


The pace of treatment should take into account the preschool child's need to be

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